by Tom Rogal
Drip.
The cool water felt good. Her body felt better as well. That terrible heat that plagued her before had subsided. Was she dead? That had been the only thing on her mind when that internal flame was killing her inside.
Drip.
She couldn’t be dead. Dead people couldn’t feel things. She wanted to open her eyes, but they felt weak. Suddenly another object touched her. It wiped away the water. The object felt so nice and smooth. She slowly drifted back to sleep.
Levus slowly moved his hand away from her face. After Divi collapsed, they took her to a town just southeast of Rudann. First they had stayed one night in the capital city, but as Divi’s condition failed to improve, King Byrin recommended moving her to a town further south and closer to the Cordcan border. Since then, both mages' conditions got better. Tasi, who was also in the room, grabbed a moist towel and put it across her forehead. Divi gave a small grunt, squirming around. When she started to breathe normally again, Tasi stepped away. He touched Levus on the shoulder.
“Come. All she needs is a little rest right now.”
Levus was hesitant, but stood up and followed him. Tasi stopped not far from the door. He had been holding back with Divi around, but with her indisposed at the moment, this was the perfect time to explain to the boy the way things had to be.
“What happened to her?”
“Heromin," Tasi told him. "It is equivalent to overheating. Mages' body temperatures are different than humans'. If we go into a climate that is too hot, our bodies begin to naturally grower hotter and hotter. Unlike what humans call heat stroke, exposure to heat doesn't have to be prolonged. Age and magic cognition usually affects how slow or fast this happens. She doesn’t know magic, so she couldn’t recognize the symptoms early enough. Thamalos and I are to blame, though. We should have realized how far north we were. Divi and I wouldn’t be able to go to Desris even if we wanted to. We would never survive the desert.”
Tasi could see he was still worried about Divi.
“Levus. Please do not concern yourself with a mage’s troubles.”
“What are you saying?” asked Levus.
“Don’t expect any type of relationship with Divi. I see how you act with her. Don’t deny it. Yet she is too different, and her life would be affected negatively if she were together with a human.”
Levus was a little shocked by his directness.
Tasi concluded, “I care about her and don’t want her to be fighting for foolish reasons. She is the future leader of Myyril and she doesn’t need to be put at any greater risks. Now get some sleep. We must arrive at Cordca in a few days, so we will leave early in the morning.”
Tasi walked toward the door, which led to a flight of stairs. Levus just watched as he left him. Tasi didn’t scare him. If he wanted to be with Divi, and she wanted to be with him, then that was how he was going to be−regardless of what anyone else thought.
King Valsuvis Aldaran sat on his throne with a few advisors by his side. In his upper fifties, he had earned many scars all over his face. Out the window, the sun had nearly set and the sky around it was a deep red. The advisors looked on with concern.
“It’s a bleeding sky. A certain omen that bloodshed is soon to come,” commented Valsuvis.
As soon as he finished his sentence, a group of guards walked into the throne room. They were dressed in bright gold armor and red chain mail underneath it. The only one wearing a helmet was the one who advanced toward the Cordcan king. The others stayed near the entrance of the room. Valsuvis signaled with his hand and the advisors left.
Valsuvis asked, “What news do you bring?”
The head guard said, “Two humans, an elf, and two mages are here to see you, Your Grace.”
He felt perplexed, almost a little upset. Now he was going to have to apologize, which he never liked doing to begin with, to his soothsayer. The half-elf was right. Valsuvis looked over at the guard, annoyed.
“Send them in.”
The guard nodded and walked out the door. Valsuvis waited silently in thought for his visitors to arrive. He was extremely tired. The day had been filled with many activities. It was nearing the end of the celebration at Cordca, which also meant a return to normalcy in his life. This visit was not a good sign.
As the doors opened, Thamalos and Divi were the first to enter while the others followed closely behind. Levus noticed that Eraddor was looking at the ground with a scared expression on his face. There was something more with Eraddor here than met the eye. King Valsuvis paid more attention, though, to Thamalos at the moment.
“Well, if it isn’t Thamalos, High Prince of the Elves. I fear what you are to ask because it usually involves my help.”
Thamalos stepped forward.
“King Valsuvis Aldaran IV. It is a pleasure to see you again. With the greatest army on the mainland, is it that shocking?”
Valsuvis truly didn’t like the numeral always associated with the name. Sure, he was fourth king in the Aldaran line, but he was the first Valsuvis. At first he tried to discourage people from using the rest of the name, but old habits die hard. In time he had learned to accept it like his ancestors before him. He gave a small chuckle.
“The elves have always been the ambassadors for peace. You come here with your alliance ideas, but they are unlikely. The division between some of the races is too deep to repair.”
Divi stepped up with an offended look. “How can you make such a comment? You know not why we are even here!”
“And you are?”
“Divi, daughter of the late Honorable Neeza.”
So, the rumors were true about the Myyrilian leader’s death. The spies he had in Arten had heard the whispers in Nesseis. He would need to keep a close eye on his neighbors to the south. Divi, while technically the heir, would not have been sent here if the position of High Mage was solidified. They would have sent someone less important. He would ponder on it later.
Valsuvis looked over at Thamalos. “I don’t need to guess for I already know. My half-elf advisor told me of a premonition that a group from several races would come to me looking to form a stable alliance to fight the Ettui.”
Thamalos was not surprised by the king’s knowledge they were coming. Half-elves, renowned for their abilities with medicines and potions, were also well in tune with the sense to see the immediate future. It was a gift their race had that was usually under-appreciated, even by their elven brethren at times. Not by this man, however.
“I know that our last few missions on Barbata were not successful and that Cordca lost many brave fighting men because of it. For that I can never apologize because my apologies will never bring them back. But you must hear us out this time. The Ettui are now on Dyyros.”
Valsuvis gave a laugh of disbelief.
“Highly unlikely. There are less than a dozen ports on the eastern side of the continent and all are in developed areas. With the high coastlines nigh everywhere else, it would be impossible to land a large enough number of them.”
Divi said, “You can’t tell me that it's impossible. Levus and I both saw them and fought them there.”
Valsuvis continued, “I am truthfully surprised you have convinced so many of this. What is your plan, Thamalos? To make it to the capital and bring an army there . . . just to question their ruler and leave? To sacrifice thousands of lives when the work of a couple spies would suffice?”
Eraddor hated to admit it, but even he failed to see this plan's logic. One doesn’t amass an army just to question one person . . . even if it is the Ettui leader.
“You are doing this because you want to take Barbata back for the elves. Would this army go and question Darca? Yes. However, you could be assured certain units of soldiers would remain behind to maintain the conquered lands. Whenever the matter you have come here for is finished, then Thamalos would call everyone to finish the job on Barbata. The elves have also always prioritized their own well-being, putting their needs ahead of others. Imagine how much a hero he would be with his
own people if he re-took the capital for the elves. But, of course, he knows they cannot do it alone. They need our help. This supposed Ettui involvement is the perfect ploy.”
Eraddor softly said, “Thamalos.”
Valsuvis Aldaran looked behind Divi and Thamalos. He saw the younger Levus, but his eyes shifted to Eraddor, who finally looked up halfway. The king’s face expressed great anger that almost gave Divi a chill just by looking at it.
“You have some nerve coming back here, Eraddor.”
“I come here for the alliance.”
Valsuvis stood and walked around the throne.
“Is that all? I should have known you would be involved in this crazy scheme. Let us just get this straight. My family has been a prideful one for generations. It would be unacceptable for someone of your class to enter.”
Eraddor interrupted, “It was not just me. She feels the same . . .”
“You will not marry my daughter!”
Eraddor shrank back as Valsuvis yelled. His gaze went to the small hallway behind the king’s throne. At the end of it, a young woman with brown shoulder-length hair stood and stared at Eraddor. All the words that Valsuvis was speaking were now mute to him. He tried not to make his actions noticeable, since he was already in a deep crevice. The woman looked down and walked away, out of Eraddor’s view, though he noticed a smile on her face before she did. His attention returned to Valsuvis’ speech.
“My daughter needs someone who is strong and will never leave when he is needed most!”
Thamalos interrupted, “Gentleman! This is not the time for this! We have come for another reason as well.”
The king looked again at the elf prince.
“We have discovered a large army forming in the Sardonian territories. There are Ettui there, too. We think they mean to attack Rudann or Garlock, before making their way here.”
Valsuvis gave a small laugh and said, “I worry not. Rudann does a fine job defending their kingdom. They have stopped every attack to her territory and I feel confident that they will stop this one now.”
Eraddor said, “With all due respect, the human kingdoms don’t need assurance. They need Cordca.”
Valsuvis looked with great anger at Eraddor. “What would you know about what the realms of men needs? You have lived your life hiding behind the elves. If these Ettui somehow get past Rudann, they stand no chance against our army. I have five hundred thousand strong soldiers here with another fifteen thousand in Fort Za that are at my call. Add in all the militia from the towns and provinces as well as our southern and northern defenses, I can have over a million swords. Let them come!”
Tasi, who had been silent this whole time, could feel the tension growing in the room to the point that matters would be unrepairable if something was not done fast. He finally stepped up.
“Listen. King Valsuvis, I understand how you must feel. Here we come asking you to make sacrifices in an inopportune time. The magi, who too are facing difficulties after the death of our leader, are willing to send a limited number of mages for the attack. All that we are asking is for a generous amount of men. The Ettui will not be expecting us.”
Valsuvis turned to him with a small chuckle.
“You must be Tasi. Your reputation precedes you. I’ve heard you’re quite the diplomat. Had the situation been different, it might have worked. Realize this, though. I cannot send my men out, especially in the event that there is no real threat to the mainland as a whole.”
Thamalos lashed out. “The threat is already among us! It is forming in Sardon right now!”
Tasi motioned with his hands to settle the elf down. Now was not the time to lose their heads. That was what the king wanted. Diplomacy, not anger, was the only way they would get help from Cordca.
Tasi faced Valsuvis again. “Our elf friend speaks the truth. Unless we can put our differences aside temporarily and find out what they are planning, our ignorance will allow the Ettui to grow stronger and stronger. I would not have believed about this army either had I not seen it with my own eyes.”
Valsuvis sat back down on his throne and put his hand on his chin.
He finally said, “My decision stands. Now if you will excuse me, I have much work to do.”
Thamalos wanted to counter, but the mage once again controlled him.
“Thank you for seeing us. We will return when your time is more convenient,” Tasi stated.
He turned to exit the room. Everyone was very surprised, except for Eraddor, who knew the Aldaran family had always been difficult to deal with. He guessed that stubbornness had kept them in power for so long, but times were changing. If Cordca wanted to remain the high seat of power in the Realms of Men, they would need to become more a protector than an isolationist. Could the king possibly make such a drastic change after so long? He wasn’t so sure. Valsuvis gave him a suspicious eye all the way.
In the hallway, as the doors slammed shut, everyone had eyes on Tasi.
“I know you are upset with me. Trust my decision. When I perfected with my skills, my specialty was in understanding the way the races think. Today was a battle we would not have won. Give me two days. I can probably get us at least a battalion and a cavalry.”
Eraddor cleared his throat. “I have a faster idea. But, I’ll need the help of a mage.”
Eraddor and Tasi hid in the bushes next to the garden entrance at midnight. Two guards stood ready at an archway holding spears and sword by their sides. Eraddor looked over at his mage friend.
“I need to get past those guards.”
Tasi examined the situation at hand. About twenty feet to the guard' right, a wood pile lay waiting to fuel the king's fires. Some of his couriers had had a picnic earlier today, and the servants failed to clear away all their leavings, so a table still held three goblets dripping with dregs of wine. Not very much to work with as far as a distraction went, but he’d worked with less before.
“No problem. How long do you need?”
“Only a couple minutes to get ready.”
Tasi nodded as he continued to size the situation up.
Eraddor watched him and said, “You don’t need to stay. Anti-mage feelings are shared by many in the human realms. I don’t want to put you into too much risk.”
Tasi nodded, again “I’ll be fine. Get ready to move in two minutes.”
Eraddor rushed behind a tree closer to the entrance. A heavy wind blew through the yard. Tasi continued to watch the guards, who only seemed concerned about what was directly ahead of them. Statues would do a better job. This was going to be too easy. He glanced once more at Eraddor, who nodded he was ready. As the next wind blew hard, Tasi raised his hand and telepathically knocked all three goblets from the table. Both guards turned in that direction. When they went to examine the cause of the cups falling, Tasi closed his eyes.
Tasi then chanted quietly, “Riuma feamma!”
Suddenly, Tasi's open palm ejected a red fireball and connected with the pile of wood, instantly setting it ablaze. The guards moved quickly to try extinguishing the fire. Tasi stared at the garden gates as Eraddor made his move and ran through it. He smiled one more time at the result of his work. He wished everything would be as easy as this, but had a feeling that in the near future things were just going to get harder. Seeing his companion had got past the guards, Tasi moved away from the scene like the wind, silently and briskly.
Eraddor jogged until he was out of view of the entranceway. When it was safe, he began to look around. Exotic plants and flowers filled the area. Many of the plants and bushes were three times taller than him. The smell was pleasant even with all the different scents given off by the flowers. Eraddor walked down another path of greenery-covered pillars. He recalled vaguely where to go, but it had been awhile.
“I see you remembered.”
Eraddor turned to his left. Standing in an area of the garden with beautiful benches and a fountain was Cordela, the only daughter of Valsuvis Aldaran. Eraddor walked over to where she sto
od. Moonlight and torchlight were the only illumination present, giving a mystical but beautiful feel to the garden.
“It is good to see you again, my love.”
“It has been a long time, Cordela.”
Eraddor and Cordela held each other’s hands, feeling them gently.
He commented, “Your hands are just as soft as I remember them.”
Cordela laughed and said, “As are your words.”
Both chuckled softly. They continued to stare into each other’s eyes. Eraddor loved being with Cordela. She brought out a side of himself that no one else could. She gave him something to fight for, someone who he was willing to give his life to protect.
“I trust you didn’t risk coming to Cordca to just see me,” commented Cordela.
Eraddor exhaled a deep breath. They began to walk together, but still holding hands. A cool breeze caressed both their faces.
“If I could, I would see you everyday. Your father doesn’t share my feelings, though.”
Cordela gave a small smirk and said, “My father is just protective. Being his only girl has him worried. I wish he would pay more attention to my brothers than me.”
They walked a few feet in silence. Cordela knew he had something on his mind. Although she hadn’t seen him in years, she would never forget how he acted. It was almost as if he bore the weight of the entire world on his shoulders.
Cordela asked, “Why did you really come back to Cordca?”
They stopped walking as Eraddor stared into her eyes. “We need help from your father. We believe the Ettui are planning something large, so we want a force to go to Barbata and find out what that is. No matter what our elf friend’s intentions are, he is correct that their leader would know exactly what they are scheming. We can’t do it without your father's help.”
“I can see why he wouldn’t be so kind.”
Eraddor laughed as she smiled.
“Though I now find fault in our plan. Thamalos’ idea does have the appearance that he is doing this just to take over Barbata again for the elves. Maybe I have lived with them too long that I too am seeing their point of view. Your father actually showed some wisdom.”